Jacob Elordi’s Tearful Confession: The Kate Winslet Film That Outshines Titanic

When Jacob Elordi opened up about the film that truly broke him, it wasn’t the blockbuster most would expect. While James Cameron ’s sweeping romance remains a pop culture icon, another Kate Winslet performance quietly claims a higher spot with critics—and it’s not the one set on a doomed ship. Elordi, known for his intense roles, recently shared that Ang Lee’s adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic left him in tears, revealing a side of himself few have seen.

Critical Showdown: Two Winslet Classics Go Head-to-Head

Comparing these two films, the numbers tell a surprising story. Ang Lee’s 1995 period drama, featuring Winslet as the passionate Marianne Dashwood, holds a 97% score on Rotten Tomatoes and an 84/100 on Metacritic. In contrast, Cameron’s epic romance, released two years later, sits at 88% and 75/100, respectively. While Titanic boasts an A+ CinemaScore and remains one of the highest-grossing movies ever, Sense and Sensibility is celebrated as one of the finest Austen adaptations, praised for its writing, performances, and emotional depth.

Elordi’s candid admission about the film’s impact hits differently coming from an actor who’s made a name for himself playing unsettling characters. He described the moment Winslet’s character experiences a profound realization, saying:

I watched Ang Lee’s Sense and Sensibility, and there’s a moment when Kate Winslet’s character has an emotional realization. I was sitting there, eating ice cream, and then I just broke down with her character. I cried through that movie, just at the hopeless beauty of us all.

His words highlight why this film continues to resonate, decades after its release. It’s not about spectacle, but about the raw, honest emotion at its core.

Inside the Making of a Timeless Drama

Sense and Sensibility follows the Dashwood sisters as they face financial hardship and heartbreak after their father’s death. Emma Thompson’s Elinor is the picture of restraint, while Winslet’s Marianne wears her heart on her sleeve. The cast, including Hugh Grant and Alan Rickman, delivers performances that are subtle yet powerful, never tipping into melodrama. Winslet’s portrayal of Marianne is especially striking for its authenticity—her pain is real, never exaggerated or played for sympathy.

Behind the scenes, the film was a labor of love. Thompson spent five years adapting Austen’s novel, carefully preserving its wit and spirit. Ang Lee, new to Austen’s world, approached the story as a study in social pressure and personal freedom. The result is a film that appeals to both literary fans and modern viewers, earning seven Oscar nominations and a win for Best Adapted Screenplay. More importantly, it sparked renewed interest in Austen’s work and set a new standard for period dramas.

Jacob Elordi’s Breakout Role and Rising Star Power

Elordi’s emotional connection to Sense and Sensibility comes at a time when his own career is reaching new heights. At the 2026 Critics’ Choice Awards, he took home Best Supporting Actor for his role as the Creature in Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein. It was a milestone moment, and his acceptance speech was heartfelt:

Thank you, Guillermo del Toro. I love you. We all love you. You made my dreams when I was 11. I’m so happy to be here.

Transforming into the Creature required Elordi to push himself physically and emotionally. He trained in butoh, a Japanese dance form, and spent hours under prosthetics to bring the character to life. The Creature, initially cherished by Victor Frankenstein (played by Oscar Isaac), is ultimately rejected, and Elordi poured his own experiences into the role:

It was a vessel that I could put every part of myself into. From the moment that I was born to being here with you today, all of it is in that character. And in so many ways, the creature that’s on screen in this movie is the sort of purest form of myself. He’s more me than I am.

With a Golden Globe nomination and growing Oscar buzz, Elordi’s future looks bright. His willingness to embrace vulnerability—both on screen and off—sets him apart in an industry often driven by spectacle over substance.

Where to Watch These Modern Classics

For those looking to revisit these standout performances, Titanic is currently available to stream on Netflix, while Sense and Sensibility can be rented on AppleTV.